Harper Campaign Update

The election campaigns are in full swing and all the federal candidates are touring the country espousing promises and defending their track record. Here are the updates, for Day 6 of the election and what each candidate has promised:

Stephen Harper:

Stephen Harper is currently in the Maritimes drumming up support for a new hydro electric dam. The Lower Churchill River hydroelectric project would supply electricity to Newfound Land, Labrador, Nova Scotia and the US. The hydroelectric project is part of the government's green energy strategy (cough), and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This makes sense because the maritimes is still largely dependant on coal based power plants. But keep in mind: making a hydroelectric dam has its own environmental and social problems. Remember James Bay Hydro electric? I don't. I wasn't even born yet. Long story short, millions of acres were rearranged and natural environment destroyed. As for social impacts, unfortunately it has been Aboriginal groups that feel the negative social impacts of these projects. Traditional Aboriginal activities, like hunting, become threatened along with entire communities who may become displaced. There are more problems, so read up on it.

Here are some of the Conservative campaign's election highlights or promises:

-Complete Bi-lateral free trade agreements with the European Union (wine, wind mills, wooden shoes) and with India (saris, cricket, cheap automobiles).

-Accelerated business write-offs: This gives businesses a tax break, which will promote greater investment and business growth in the long run.

-Employment Insurance Tax Break: This is directed at small businesses and will allow a $1000 credit towards employment insurance increases over last year. No offence, but this is pretty paltry and really won't affect any individuals bottom line. Collectively, it will save $165 million from pay roll. Its available to 525000 employers. If you divide the projected $165 million, by the number of possible employers (assuming they all take up the deal), thats only $314 each. I must be understanding this wrong, can someone enlighten me please?

-Tax Cuts for Families: This will allow spouses to share up to $50 000 of their income in order to reduce their income tax. How does this work: keeping in mind the more money you make the more you are taxed, let's say I earn $100 000 dollars and my spouse earns nothing. Under the current tax laws, I would taxed on my entire $100 000. Under the proposed legislation I could "transfer" up to $50 000 to my spouse; this would place us each in a lower tax bracket, and thus less taxes. Or, I just transfer below the cut off for taxing, and my spouse wouldn't pay anything. Caveats: gotta have a dependant child less than 18years old. Woot Woot for the middle class!